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Chair opens hearing on 12 consumer-protection bills to strengthen FTC and CPSC tools
Summary
A committee chair opened a hearing to examine a dozen bills aimed at bolstering the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, warning about unsafe imported products and naming measures such as the PAC Act and the Recycle Materials Attribution Act.
The chair opened a congressional hearing to consider 12 bills aimed at strengthening consumer protections and ensuring the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have the tools needed to address modern market challenges. "We are here today to consider a dozen bills aimed at strengthening consumer protections and ensuring the FTC and the Consumer Product Safety Commission have the tools they need to address challenges in today's economy," the chair said.
The chair framed the FTC as the nation's primary consumer protection agency since its creation in 1914, citing the agency's role enforcing laws such as the FTC Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act and mentioning more recent measures including the Take It Down Act. "For decades, the FTC has served as our nation's primary consumer protection agency," the chair said, adding that the agency works to "combat unfair and deceptive practices and promote competition without unduly burdening legitimate business activity."
On the CPSC, the chair said the commission plays an "equally important role" in protecting the public from hazardous consumer products through education, safety standards and enforcement. The chair warned that as online marketplaces grow and imports increase, federal safety agencies must be equipped to respond. "It is critical that the CPSC is fully equipped to fight the wave of unsafe Chinese products flooding the American market," the chair said.
Among the bills the chair named were the PAC Act and the Recycle Materials Attribution Act, described as measures to improve transparency around recyclability claims while allowing innovation and supporting jobs. The chair also cited the Terms Act, which would place new transparency obligations on online platforms, and two safety-focused bills, the Nutris Oxide Safety Act and the Stop the Fraud Act, aimed at stronger enforcement against foreign companies accused of violating U.S. consumer-protection laws.
The chair closed the opening remarks by thanking attendees and welcoming witnesses to testify before the committee. The hearing then moved to witness testimony and examination.
